Steinbach Fire Department burned by theft at local fundraiser

Members of the Steinbach Fire Department are in disbelief after thousands of dollars was stolen from their summer fundraiser.

"It was very heartbreaking," said Kurt Martens, president of theSteinbachFirefighters Association.

The firefighters had spent months planning a rock and roll fundraiser on Aug. 19 at Coyote Creek, a local venue.

Martens said about 300 people showed up to help raise money for fire prevention, cancer care in Steinbach and for a local firefighter who is off workbattling cancer.

"All we do is give, give, give to the community and we are trying to help out the community by giving back, especially to cancer care where it's a known that cancer runs in the duties of a firefighter," he said. "Wewere very disappointed."

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Everyone was enjoying the music and dancing but that changed at the end of the night when the firefighters went to do a cash count.

"We ended up finding out the money was taken," Martens said.

He couldn't disclose the amount taken because he said RCMP are now investigating the incident.

Bev Hieber with Coyote Creek posted on the establishment's Facebook that she is completely shocked.

"That a person or persons can do such a thing that ultimately impacts so many," Hieber wrote. "We have been sick to our stomachs about this."

Martens said he isn't optimistic that the money will be returned but they won't let the theft burn their plans to help the community.

He said they are hosting another fundraiser, this time a comedy night, on Oct. 15.

Steinbach is located about 65 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.